No record label? No publishing deal? No problem.
Happs is a great way to make money making music. Here are some FAQs for musicians who want to get paid to go live.
How many fans do I need to make real money?
Kevin Kelly famously suggested that musicians (and other creators) merely need 1,000 True Fans to make a living. This assumes you can make $100 profit from each true fan every year — and Happs is a great way to do this since it allows fans to pay you directly.
You must have a direct relationship with your fans. That is, they must pay you directly. You get to keep all of their support, unlike the small percent of their fees you might get from a music label, publisher, studio, retailer, or other intermediate. If you keep the full $100 of each true fan, then you need only 1,000 of them to earn $100,000 per year. That’s a living for most folks.
Happs doesn’t need to be the only way you monetize fans, either. Think of it as an additive to the other ways you’re making money from your music.
How do sponsorships and awards work on Happs?
Happs sponsorships allow for monthly payments from your top fans and awards are a way for viewers to give a one-time cash payment quickly and easily. (Note: Viewers need to watch your broadcasts on the Happs platform in order to sponsor or give awards.) Broadcasters keep 70% of payouts and Happs takes a 30% fee. Once broadcasters accumulate $200 in their balance, they can have funds sent to them via PayPal (worldwide) or check (U.S. only).
How do I get viewers to support me?
Ask! Don’t be shy about encouraging viewers to support you. Some ideas for what you might want to say:
“I’m working hard on these broadcasts and support from viewers like you covers my expenses and shows me you care. If you get any value out of what I’m doing, please support me.”
You may also want to thank award-givers by name during your broadcasts in order to recognize their support and encourage others to give.
How does making money on Happs compare to getting paid by Spotify and other streaming services?
With Happs, you’re building a straight line between you and your fans. It’s also a much faster way to get paid. Royalty payments from streaming services can take a while (typically 6–8 months) to collect. We’ll pay you much faster than that.
How does making money on Happs compare to Patreon and Kickstarter?
Happs works as a complementary service to tools like Patreon/Kickstarter. Shout out your other funding platforms during broadcasts so fans who want to support you there can do so. You can use Patreon as a place to put cover songs or exclusive live footage you’ve shot. And you can use Kickstarter to raise funds for recording or touring. At Happs, we want to help you live off (or at least get paid more for) your music, so we encourage using multiple platforms that will help you get paid.
Any specific ideas for how to monetize on Happs?
If you’re a songwriter, bring your fans inside the songwriting process. You’re already spending hours every week working on new tunes so go ahead and turn that camera on and document the process. You can get feedback from fans in real time and ask for suggestions. You’re already doing all this anyway so it’s not really “costing” you additional time. Next time you’re in your room crafting new tunes, go live and give your fans a window into your creative process. If you get some ideas from them along the way, all the better!
Won’t it be hard to make real money this way?
If you can use Happs to find true fans, it can be the most efficient way to monetize them. You don’t need to record or tour, you just need to go live from wherever you are. In that way, it couldn’t be easier.
And remember: If you’re consistently writing and rehearsing songs, you’re already doing the hard part — there’s no additional cost to broadcasting on Happs while you do it.
We encourage you to think of Happs as another tool in your toolbox. Add it into your mix of performing/recording/fundraising/ticket sales in order to supplement your career. Going live can only add to your audience.
Will livestreaming still be popular in a post-pandemic world?
Yes, livestreaming is here to stay — the same way chatting on Zoom is the new normal. Connecting online in a personal way has never been easier. As the world opens up again, musicians everywhere are figuring out how to perform and interact with fans in a direct way; livestreaming is certain to be part of the mix in an ongoing way.
Although no one’s quite sure how it will go, remember: In chaos, there is opportunity. Be a first mover and take advantage of the Happs platform in order to reach more fans and increase your revenue. We’ll be here to help each step of the way. Get started now or reach out via email to discuss how Happs can help you.
